When the new IAS well was drilled in Idiola, Ethiopia, the life of Uka Golicha was completely changed.

Access to clean water save lives, in many aspects. One of them is of course on a health-related level; clean water reduces the risk of having water-borne diseases, like diarrhea, typhoid fever and cholera.

In Oromia/Borena region of Ethiopia, 700 kilometres south of the capital Addis Ababa and on the Ethiopian/Kenyan border, clean, fresh drinking water was difficult, if not impossible, to find – until IAS team came to drill.

‐ People travelled an average of four hours round trip in order to obtain water – water that is still not suitable for drinking. The significance of the newly drilled well in my community is great and I ́m so thankful, says Uka.
In a country where the average citizen earns approximately 1,100 Birr a month (the equivalent of $60), towns in this region that rely heavily on agriculture for their daily sustenance are in even more of a desperate situation. It is not just the basic necessities that are lacking in this area, such as clean water, electricity, sanitation, and roads. The lack of water also means the loss of their livelihoods.
Recognizing this incredible need, IAS is embarking on a holistic approach to transform the Oromia/Borena region.

Job creation for the women of Idilola, as well as methods that would help farmers in the region improve crop yield, are a few of the ideas IAS is considering to engage Oromia/Borena in a manner that will go beyond providing the basics and will transform lives.

A few weeks ago we wrote about our startup in Niger, one of the world’s poorest countries. We are pleased to announce that the first waterwell is now drilled and another four will be drilled before the end of 2014.

With a short rainy season and very few year-round surface water sources, the daily search for water is a top priority for the predominantly rural population in Niger.

– Usually women and girls bear the heavy burden to to fetch water. They often have to walk long distances, which is both hard and time-consuming. It also reduces their participation in educational and income generating activities, says Rune Cederholm, IAS Programme Manager & Acting Head of Programme Department.

Often the water is contaminated, it can even be deadly. In these instances, the women face an impossible choice, a certain death without water or possible death from illness.

– By drilling waterwells we both provide clean healthy water to the communities and also prevent these girls and women from alienation, says Rune Cederholm

Long-term solutions

IAS work in Niger has been running since November. The focus is on long-term solutions, including waterwell drilling and hygiene and sanitation training. The first waterwell well was drilled to a depth of 60 meter, in Sidi Koura, a village south of the capital Niamey. Another four wells will be drilled by the end of 2014.

-We are really happy to be able to bring life to these rural communities. Our work will also include equipping communities to dig their own latrines and to provide hygiene education and sanitation to reduce diseases caused by poor sanitation, says Rune Cederholm.

Donate to the campaign Together #WeDigDeeper

Follow us on Mynewsdesk

Instagram

Facebook

Film clip

IAS is one of the Founding members of the CHS Alliance. The CHS Alliance leads and facilitates the development, promotion and maintenance of the Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability CHS). The CHS sets out Nine Commitments that organisations and individuals involved in humanitarian response can use to improve the quality and effectiveness of the assistance they provide. More information can be found on www.chsalliance.org